Ryan Boon & GLK end their Losing streak, as Lucky Devils guns down Arsenal



29th August 2009, another EPL BPL (Barclays Premier League) match day saw old rivals Arsene Wenger (Mr W.) and Sir Alex Ferguson (SAF) going head-to-head with their teams at Old Trafford (OT), as Manchester United hosts Arsenal in a late night (SG time) kick-off.

Gunners vs Man U used to be a heated affair, until Mr W started shipping off top players each season and the emergence of Chelsea and Liverpool as Man U closest (but not quite so) rivals for the league title. The intense mind games and heat tongue lashing between Mr W and SAF was replaced by the controversial tauntings and ramblings of a certain 'Special' One and the (I-so-lost-it) Rafael Benitez. Off the field, Mr W and SAF looked to have gotten on friendlier terms, and Man U fans had begun to openly commend Arsenal's beautiful playing style and the gunners fan are less abusive of Man U than of old.

On this evening however, as their team clash at OT once again, fans of both sides are certain their team will win, and trash talking begun long before their team take to the field. I recall a certain long list of comments on my friend's facebook profile, which innocently read "i'm looking forward to saturday's match. GO GUNNERS!!!" What followed was a tirade of remarks, hurled from Arsenal fans to Man U fan to Liverpool fan and back. It seems the intensity of this old rivalry is just as strong as before. So a date was set up, as the fans agreed to gather on matchday to catch this epic battle at a kopitiam in heartland Singapore.



Kopitalk


"Ryan and Boon very suuuuaay, everytime you watch the match your team always lose one" - Bood, Ryan's girlfriend.

"I still remember that day when you all cheered at ah Yang's place (when ManU was awarded a penalty), in the end you all sian diao (when Nistelrooy hit the woodwork in the spot kick)." - Tuck, loyal Arsenal fan reminiscing the good old days.

"Shit lah, with Boon and Ryan along, this spells bad news." GLK, upon knowing the 'matchgoers' lineup.

Prematch day:
Meeting time was shifted forward from 11:15pm to 11pm (1h15m before kickoff). Initiator, Ryan.
Match day, 10:50pm:

Ryan issues call to matchgoers, "Eh, you all sure you can reach the place by 11pm hor? Dun pang seh hor."

Match day, 11:45pm:

Ryan strolls into Kopitiam, and get his butt on a seat with the perfect view of the TV. Courtesy of the early campers who have been there since 11pm.




38th min: Mr W protested against a foul called on his player.

"He is such a loser" - Ryan.

43rd min: The penalty the should have been. Fletcher hacks down Arshavin in the box, winning the ball with his hands.

44th min: Undeniably, Arshavin got his goal as he belted an unstoppable 25 yarder past Foster. Suddenly, the Kopitiam erupted in cheers as the gunners fans celebrated. Tuck was ecstatic as Boon and GLK can only admire the sheer class of the goal. 0-1 Arsenal.

"We should have taken (tok diao) him down" - Ryan.

"Go gunners!!" - sms to GLK.

58th min: Man U given a penalty as Rooney beat Almunia to a long through ball from Giggs and was upended in the box, as the ball rolled out of play following Rooney's heavy first touch. Rooney sent Almunia the wrong way from the resulting PK. 1-1 Man U.

64th min: SAF clapped Diaby's own goal as he turned the ball past Almunia from a Ryan Giggs free kick. Kopitiam erupted in thunderous applause and cheering. 2-1 Man U.

"Hahahahahaha.." - Ryan.

95th min: Just as Nani missed a glorious opportunity to nail Arsenal's coffin, Arsenal scored in the resulting counterattack through Van Persie. Kopitiam erupted in wild elation. Tuck and Yao were cheering and 'Hi5'ing. Barely 5 seconds later, the camera panned to a raised linesman assistant referee's flag. Louder cheering and laughter ensued, as Boon Ryan and GLK celebrated. Tuck looked devastated, Yao was disgusted.

"HAHAHAAHAHAHa. Yes!" - Ryan.

96th min: Mr W kicked a water bottle in disgust and was sent off by the 4th official.


96th min: Mr W decided to join the OT faithful in the stands. He was disallowed to do so and the referee decided to pile onto his misery by ordering him off the stands and into the dugout.

"Don't touch me Ryan" - Tuck.

"****... Nothing to be proud of. I told you.. As always.. At OT what you want to say.. We're playing against a team of 12...." - sms to GLK.

Another Man U vs Arsenal match, this time the bragging rights were ours to keep. Till our teams meet again.